Advice on getting Sugar down...way down?

[skinny4baby]

Hello ladies...I am fairly new here. Just recently had the courage to FINALLY go to the doctor and get checked out.

Blood hormone levels checked out ok...dh fine. But my sugar level has slightly been elevated for a couple of years..and been keeping it under control pretty well..... he felt I needed to be on Glucophage..so he prescribed 1500 mg daily...I have been on it for two months and my levels are still to high for him. My A1c was 7.2. My fasting blood sugar is 120..and 2hr. after a meal 158. My high risk OB is VERY strict that this is too high. Here lies the problem that is need help with. The next step for me is Clomid...of which he will not give me until sugar levels are reduced. He wants fasting 100 and 2 hr. after eating 120???

I have recently lost 57 pounds eating VERY well....no sugar...no refined food..lots of veggies....2 servings of low glycemic fruit...lean meat. AND I exercise!!

Sooooo ANY help or advice would be great! I am willing to do anything or try anything!!!!!

[MsTaken]

Your doctor is right that your levels need to be lower for pregnancy. Pregnant women have a lower blood glucose level normally. 100 or under. My last A1C was 5.9 and my average bg is 100. My number one suggestion would be to test, test, test with your meter. Every diabetic is different and foods affect everyone differently. Most type 2's find morning to be their highest levels. I can't eat cereal in the morning cause it spikes my blood sugar to 200. Check out http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm
I have also found lifting weights helps my insulin resistance. Go to www.stumptuous.com for info on starting a weight lifting program.

[SuperK72]

Have you thought about natural supplements? Not sure what you can mix with Metformin, but visit your local health food store and see what you can find out. What kind of vitamins do you take? I was controlling my diabetes with diet and exercise alone and was doing pretty well with it. I found out I had it last summer, and after a strict diet and a running regimen, I lost about 15 lbs and ended up pregnant within two months. I was not overweight to begin with, but I have no doubt that my exercise and the little weight that I did lose helped me conceive. I did not take any drugs at all. The only thing I was taking was Vitex, which is an herb to help you ovulate and balance out your hormones, and a high quality multi-vitamin that was food based. I think the Vitex played a big part in all of it as well. I also was taking Bitter Melon, a supplement to control blood sugars.
Just food for thought, and good luck to you!!
~K

[nobimbo]

I have been taking cinnamon capsules for about a year now to supplement my Metformin (which I've been taking for almost 4 years). Cinnamon has definitely helped my blood sugar levels. My HBA1c is 5.0 (average blood sugar of 93) and I am diabetic. There have been studies about the positive effects of cinnamon on blood sugar and on cholesterol, so cinnamon capsules are widely available now (a year ago they weren't so available; I had to order them online). You can use just regular cinnamon spice, but I like the consistency of the capsules.

Linda

[NickOfTime]

I have a suggestion for you. My husband is a diabetic and had trouble getting his blood sugar levels in the normal range even with pills and exercise. He only was able to get his sugar levels to normal by swimming. Don't have a clue as to why this particular activity worked the best for him but a quick 30 minute session after dinner would bring it down to around 87 and then keep it there until the next morning! (On top of that he lost a good 30 pounds in about 2-3 months of swimming) I'm guess it worked because of the fact that swimming uses all of the muscle groups at once and it probably eats up alot of the excess sugar floating around for energy. P.S. He did not have as good results with weight training and using the treadmill.